Litcius/Paper detail

Anchoring Triple Polar Sites in COFs to Tailor Electronic and Surface Properties for High Optoelectronic Performance

Z. T. Li, Si Ma, Changqing Li, Zheng Wang, Yuqiang Huang, Yongxuan Jiang, Yucheng Jin, Jikuan Qiu, Siliu Lyu, Xiaoming Liu, Jong‐Beom Baek

2026Nano Letters6 citationsDOI

Abstract

Covalent organic frameworks (COFs) have attracted increasing attention as photocatalysts for hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ) production owing to their structural tunability and intrinsic optoelectronic properties. However, achieving efficient charge separation and optimizing surface catalytic sites remain key challenges. Here, we report a rationally designed COF featuring triple polar sites─cyano modification on the vinyl linkage, a triazine center, and electron-donating/withdrawing side groups─that synergistically modulate the electronic structure, reducing exciton binding energy and enhancing charge carrier separation and transfer. Concurrently, the incorporation of methoxy groups tailors the hydrophilic surface environment, optimizing active site accessibility and strengthening interfacial interactions with water and oxygen. Consequently, the engineered COF delivers a remarkable H 2 O 2 production rate of ∼12,000 μmol g –1 h –1 and excellent long-term stability under ambient conditions, outperforming conventional vinyl-COFs. This work establishes a new molecular design strategy for efficient artificial H 2 O 2 photosynthesis by optoelectronic regulation at the molecular level.

Topics & Concepts

Materials scienceExcitonNanotechnologyCovalent bondPolarOptoelectronicsRational designSurface modificationCharge carrierCatalysisSurface energyTriazineHydrogen peroxideComposite numberSurface chargeChemical engineeringHydrogen productionArtificial photosynthesisFabricationAnchoringChemical polarityCovalent Organic Framework ApplicationsAdvanced Photocatalysis TechniquesCO2 Reduction Techniques and Catalysts